Sports marketing professional leverages communication skills

Posted on Friday, October 17, 2025

For Tyler Langston ’17, landing a half-a-million-dollar contract required patience and trust, two characteristics that the former Basketball player and Business alum strengthened at LC.

“LaGrange prepared me for my career by doing the hard things,” he said. “Whether it was going through hardship on the basketball court in practices, games or training, I always had to find a way to overcome obstacles to reach our common goal. Overcoming those things and doing the “hard things” are the daily life lessons I take with me.”

Originally intending to play basketball at Oklahoma, Langston turned down the offer after touring LC and meeting with Head Coach Kendal Wallace.

“I wanted to go where I could play,” he said. “Over the 2-3 days I was in LaGrange, I could really see the true value of a small campus and getting the proper attention that is needed in the classroom to help further my education.”

After graduation, Langston said connections were paramount in him landing his first professional job in the sports industry.

“I was able to get in front of C-Suite executive straight out of college and had a very productive talk with them about my goals and aspirations and what it looked like,” he said. “Fast forward a few months when a position opened up at the Tampa Bay Lightning, through my conversation with the C- Suite Executive, I was able to get my resume to the top of the list and land the role.”

In addition to working for Tampa Bay Lightning, he also held positions at IMG Academy and fieldXperience.

Since 2023, Langston has been the Director of New Business at Knox Sports in his hometown of Tampa, Florida.

“In my role I help companies consult, negotiate and execute sports sponsorships with collegiate and/or professional teams,” he said.

The biggest deal Langston said he helped execute was between Celebrity Cruise Lines and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“You have to be able to communicate in sales,” he said. “I am a relationship type of seller. I like to get to know the person that I am working with on the opposite side.”

In September, Langston returned to his alma mater to share his expertise with students at a Sports Management Club event. He emphasized to them the importance of connections and diversifying their portfolio.

“Building your network is your biggest asset in the sports world,” he said. “Always be open because there are so many roles in this industry and you never truly know what best suits you until you get engaged in it.”

Recently, Langston became the newest member of the Sports Management Club’s Advisory Board.

“I am grateful that Tyler has joined us,” said Dr. Clay Bolton, Associate Professor of Sports Management. “He represents the ideal student in business at LaGrange College. He comes to campus, plays for four years on the men's basketball team, leads the group to four post-season appearances, works hard in sports management and in general business classes and then applied himself after school to work in the NHL and other organizations before gaining an opportunity to work at a top-notch sports marketing firm in Tampa, Florida. 

“He is a role model and an example of what is possible.”

 

Campus Notes

• Several departments recently participated in the Homecoming Decor Contest. First place went to the Financial Aid/Registrar’s Office. The Business Office took second place and the Nursing Department and Vice Presidents’ Office-Mandi Bono tied for third place. In addition, faculty, staff and students dressed up for Spirit Week themed days during Homecoming.                                        
• Homecoming weekend kicks off tonight with the Flashback Friday party at 6:30 p.m. in Overlook Plaza at Wild Leap Brewing Co., followed by the Homecoming Tailgate on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Callaway Auditorium parking lot. Find the full schedule of events on the Homecoming website.
• The LaGrange community is encouraged to join the Georgia Independent College Association in saying thank you to the state legislators who approved a historic $10 million appropriation to equalize the HOPE Private Scholarship with the Zell Miller Private Award. As a result, the per-semester amount increased from $2,496 to $2,985, an annual increase of nearly $1,000 per student. GICA has a link for people to post comments to the “Thank You Campaign.” When clicking on the link, students, parents, faculty and staff will be asked to enter their contact information and the site will identify and deliver a message to their legislators. Participants can draft their own letter or use prepared language.
• The final Fall Preview Day of the semester takes place on Oct. 25. More information is available on the Preview Day website.

 

Collegiate Enrichment

From the Middle Ages to Modernity: Everyday Art and Art for Everybody

Friday, Oct. 17

1:10 p.m., Lamar Dodd Art Center (Room 104)

• Dr. Emily Tuttle, Adjunct Art Instructor, will discuss the centuries-long representation and valuing of applied arts, our tactile relationship to functional works and how art is in fact part of our day-to-day lives even if we are not frequent gallery and museum attendees.

Legacy Over Hype Workshop: Shape Your Future

Monday, Oct. 20

7:30 p.m., Bailey Room

• Dr. Justin Muller, Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, will serve as the guest speaker at this Black Male Initiative event.

Fireside Chat with a Global Chief Human Resources Officer

Tuesday, Oct. 21

11 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room

• Nidhi Verma, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), for Crawford and Company will discuss her experiences as a CHRO and the current challenges facing a global human resources department.

Delta Mu Delta: Free Professional Headshots

Thursday, Oct. 23

11 a.m., Bailey Room

• Students are encouraged to come and get their headshot taken at an event hosted by Delta Mu Delta, the business honors society.

 

Sports

Football

LC dominated Methodist University 26-7 on Saturday, Oct. 11, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It is the first time since 2013 the Panthers have started 2-0 in league play and the first time opening the season with a 4-1 record since 2008. The team will host Brevard College in a USA South Athletic Conference match-up on Saturday, Oct. 17, (tomorrow), at Callaway Stadium, with kickoff coming at 1 p.m. The game will be the centerpiece of LaGrange's Homecoming Weekend, with the Homecoming court recognized during halftime of the game.

Men’s Soccer

The Panthers battled to a 1-1 draw against Maryville on Friday, Oct. 10, at Panther Field. On Sunday, they took a 5-2 road win against Warren Wilson. The team is back on the field on Saturday, Oct. 18 (tomorrow), when they travel to Asbury in a critical CCS contest at 3:30 p.m.

Sophomore Connor DePriest was named Collegiate Conference of the South’s Offensive Player of the Week. He delivered a breakout week for the Panthers, scoring four goals across three matches.

Women’s Soccer

LC celebrated Senior Day with a 5-1 win against Wesleyan on Saturday, Oct. 11. On Wednesday, the team took a 1-1 draw against Huntingdon. The team is back on the field on Saturday, Oct. 18 (tomorrow), when they travel to Maryville for a 2 p.m. game.

Freshman Gabby Worthy received her second CCS Rookie of the Week honor. She leads LaGrange with seven goals this season and ranks among the top five in the CCS. Worthy was previously named CCS Player of the Week.

Women’s Volleyball

The Panthers split their tri-match on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Mariotti Gym. The team added a sixth conference win after besting Belhaven 3-2 on Thursday at home. LC will return to the court on Saturday, Oct. 18 (tomorrow) in a tri-match at noon in Maryville.

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Saturday, Oct. 18 – Volleyball at Maryville, noon, Maryville, Tennessee

Saturday, Oct. 18 – Football (Home) vs. Brevard, 1 p.m., Callaway Stadium

Saturday, Oct. 18 – Women’s Soccer at Maryville, 2 p.m., Maryville, Tennessee

Saturday, Oct. 18 – Volleyball vs. Agnes Scott (@Maryville), 2 p.m., Maryville, Tennessee

Saturday, Oct. 18 – Men’s Soccer at Asbury, 3:30 p.m., Wilmore, Kentucky

Sunday, Oct. 19 – Men’s Soccer at Berea, 1 p.m., Berea, Kentucky

Monday, Oct. 20 – Men’s Golf at Chick-Fil-A Invitational, Rome, Georgia

Monday, Oct. 20 – Women’s Soccer (Home) vs. Middle Georgia State, 5 p.m., Panther Field

Tuesday, Oct. 21 – Men’s Golf at Chick-Fil-A Invitational, Rome, Georgia

Wednesday, Oct. 22 – Volleyball at Huntingdon, 7 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama

Wednesday, Oct. 22 – Men’s Soccer at Huntingdon, 7 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama

 

In the headlines

‘Steel Magnolias’ season-opener at Price Theater, LaGrange Daily News, Oct. 16

LaGrange College to kick off Red-and-Black Homecoming, LaGrange Daily News, Oct. 15

Category: College, Academics

Keywords: Sports, Business